Ridgid is expanding their JobMax line of interchangeable tool bases and attachments with a new 18V cordless power handle and a new reciprocating saw tool head.
Ridgid 18V Cordless Starter Kit
Ridgid already has 12V cordless, corded, and pneumatic base handles, so it makes sense to complete the series with an 18V power handle. Users had the option of going with Ryobi’s 18V JobPlus 18V handle, but that would require buying into the One+ platform.
Advertisement
The new 18V power handle has most of the same features as its siblings: tool-free quick connect interface, 4-direction head positions, multi-tool attachment with universal adapter, variable speed trigger, and ergonomic grip. It also has a grip light that activated an LED worklight independent of the trigger switch.
Batteries and charger are NOT included in the $99 price.
Buy Now(18V base via Home Depot)
Ridgid Reciprocating Saw Attachment
There is a JobMax jigsaw attachment that came out over a year ago, but something has always been missing from the lineup – a reciprocating saw tool head.
Features:
- die cast gear housing
- compact head profile
- 4-direction head positions for easier access and cut control
- tool-free blade clamp
- lock-off lever to prevent accidental operation
- 0-3000 SPM
- stroke length of 1/2″
The tool head is priced at $69, and works with all of Ridgid’s JobMax power handles. For longer sawing tasks, go with the corded, 18V, or pneumatic power handles.
Buy Now (Recip saw tool head via Home Depot)
If you’re looking to get into the JobMax system, be sure to check out our review of the 12V power handle and most tool heads. And here is a link to all of our coverage on the Ridgid JobMax system.
Buy Now(Shop all JobMax via Home Depot)
MikeH
I have been waiting for Ridgid to develop more heads for this series and this is a great addition – i have a few sets of the Jobmax equipment which i picked up early on with really good deals. I use them regularly when the job doesn’t call for heavy duty work and am really pleased with the weight, functionality and effectiveness of this line. Can’t wait to test out the new head.
Fred
Maybe this is just a rant. I wanted really hard to like this tool when they introduced the pneumatic version. They have yet to sell me on it though because, for all its versatility, it’s really hamstrung by the purchasing options. I saw a display in HD the other day where you buy a starter kit and get any add on head free, but all the starter kits include the same oscillating head. Why would I be encouraged to take advantage of the versatility if they want to sell me multiple of the same thing?
By versatility, look further than just the interchangeable heads. In the case you want to buy the heads and have them corded (air or 120v) most of the time, but then cordless when you just can’t reach, the idea of this is a great system.
There offer the ‘standard’ variety of 12v tools if you were to buy into the portable system, so that’s nice too, but really no game-changing tools that would otherwise sway you from looking at the major 12v lines, and that’s the other part that just comes so close only to fall flat. A rotary tool would be a welcome addition to most companies’ 12v tools, but considering there isn’t an easy way that it could become an attachment for the JobMax I would expect them to have a separate tool by now. And for the record the jigsaw head is awful, because all the weight is behind the tool you have twice as much work to keep it steady and flat.
They made a big mistake not including their recent Roofing Cutter as an attachment for this system. Granted they may, since it is a new tool, but that would have probably been the extra push needed to make this a great tool system over just good.
It’s a flexible system that just feels like they haven’t tried hard enough.
JASTECH
I had purchased the Rigid and was not impressed, it is too loud and like the OP stated, the balance is off. Also Home Depot has changed their warranty on Rigid. An employee had stated they had to, they use to exchange your Rigid tool with the samething on the shelf. Well this made for a good selling point. The employee said they ended up with bare shelfs and no Rigid power tools to be sold. The new warranty is they will send it out for repair and no guarranty when it will return. Stuey, I did notice Black & Decker 20v system with changeable heads has more power then Rigids, also Sears has the same B&D line with Craftsman stamped on it and added an air pump to it.